For over a decade, Steven Birnbaum has been part of D.C. United’s heart and soul. The selfless defender finished out his incredible playing career with one final appearance, briefly taking the field as D.C. United faced Celtic FC in an energetic, friendly match in front of 18,590 of the Black-and-Red faithful and avid Bhoys supporters.

Birnbaum took to the field for warmups and began the match, donning the captain’s armband one final time. A man who has pushed through so much in his career at D.C. United, Birnbaum truly left it all on the field, playing for only about half a minute before making way for teammate Lucas Bartlett.

I’ve just been extremely lucky to be part of D.C. [United] for the last 11 years straight and proud of it.

Steve Birnbaum

Birnbaum made his final exit to a standing ovation and a touching tribute from supporters. The Black-and-Red faithful raised Birnbaum’s number 15 and presented their tifo honoring his decade with D.C. United. Those moments cost him. In the postgame press conference, Birnbaum revealed that he would be undergoing hip replacement surgery in just three weeks.

After Birnbaum’s exit, Celtic FC showed the crowd in the District a good time, scoring a rollicking series of goals and testing every player on the pitch in Black-and-Red. In the first half alone, Matt O’Reily recorded a brace, knocking back shots past Luis Zamudio in the 24′ and 31′ to put the visitors up at halftime.

David Schnegg, Zamudio, Dominique Badji, and Nathan Crockford all made their first appearances in Black-and-Red against the Bhoys, gaining valuable minutes on the field.

D.C. United faces Celtic FC at Audi Field in Washington, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Alan Tepper)

The tribute to Birnbaum and his career continued at halftime as D.C United welcomed the defender to the field to honor him. Birnbaum and his family joined Jason Levien, Danita Johnson, and Talon on the pitch, giving the club and supporters a chance to show their appreciation.

Birnbaum spoke fondly of D.C. United’s supporters to The District Press, saying, “They’ve been amazing. Through the ups and downs, we’ve had some tough times, and they’ve come out every game supported, been there in the rain, been there. When maybe we get blown out, and they stick it through, and I’ve just been extremely grateful for their support. They welcomed me in, a California guy coming to the East Coast. This is now my home, and they’ve really been a big part of it.”

In the second half, Michael Johnston and Jamesy Forrest came through for the Bhoys in the 65′ and 69′, respectively, to bring the visitor’s tally to four. Celtic FC supporters were jubilant at the final whistle, chanting and singing in support of their club. While the scoreline of 4-0 wasn’t in D.C. United’s favor, the Black-and-Red community was focused on one man, Steve Birnbaum, and giving him the send-off he deserved.

“I’ve just been extremely lucky to be part of D.C. for the last 11 years straight and proud of it,” Birnbaum said after the game. He remained with the Black-and-Red through thick and thin over the course of his Major League Soccer career. The defender joined the club after a successful college soccer career at UC Berkley and became a 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist although he started the year on reserve.

Post-match, Birnbaum told The District Press the advice he’d give to young players in the league. He said, “There’s going to be hardships and tough times with injuries and giving your all… I tried to leave it all on the field and play every game as if it’s going to be your last. I’m extremely competitive. So, I wanted to play every game so that no one took my spot. And to make sure you know, I solidified my spot on the team. And so I think it’s just battling through and giving it your all every day because we’re extremely fortunate to be in the position that we’re in.”

It goes by quicker than you think. I know. It’s extremely cliche, but it’s flown by, and I’ve just been very fortunate to be in the position I’m in.

Steve Birnbaum

Reflecting back on his 11 seasons in Black-and-Red, Birnbaum smiled. “It goes by quicker than you think. I know. It’s extremely cliche, but it’s flown by, and I’ve just been very fortunate to be in the position I’m in,” he said.

Christian Benteke and Aaron Hererra join the MLS All-Star squad for a matchup with the Liga MX All-Stars on July 24 at 8 pm ET.

D.C. United next faces Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Friday, July 26, at 8 pm ET.

Box Score

D.C. United: 0

Celtic FC: 4 O’Reily (24′ and 31′), Johnston 65′, Forrest 69′

Lineups

D.C. United: Luis Zamudio (Nathan Crockford 61′), Steven Birnbaum (Lucas Bartlett 1′)(Pedro Santos 46′)(Christian Benteke 80′), Garrison Tubbs, Matai Akinmboni, David Schnegg (Martin Rodríguez 59′), Matti Peltola (Mateusz Klich 70′), Jeremy Garay, Jackson Hopkins, Kristian Fletcher (Hayden Sargis 4′), Dominique Badji (Cristian Dájome 59′), Academy Player (Jared Stroud 59′) (Aaron Herrera 80′)

Celtic FC: Scott Bain (Viljami Sinisalo 46′), Colby Donovan (Greg Taylor 62′), Stephen Welsh (Gustaf Lagerbielke 62′), Liam Scales (Anthony Ralston 62′), Matthew Anderson (Yuki Kobayashi 46′), Tomoki Iwata (Callum McGregor 62′), Matt O’Riley (Odin Holm 46′), Reo Hatate (Bosun Lawal 62′)(Francis Turley 86′), Nicolas Kuhn (James Forrest 62′), Kyogo Furuhashi (Mikey Johnston 46′), Luis Palma (Hyun-Jun Yang 46′)

Misconduct Summary

D.C. United: Rodríguez 82′